38... 50...42...
 

Another one of the list. Well... two off the list, really.
Yeah, I have a list. Don't you?

Somewhere along the line, I knew I wanted to ride to -and across- the Golden Gate Bridge, starting from my house.
And I wanted to ride down Alexander Road into Sausalito.
But you have to go across the bridge to get to Alexander Road, so why not do both at the same time.
Today, I did just that. 42 miles, end-to-end. I think I'm on to something.

Man, it's been so hot here for the last couple of days. I really wasn't looking forward to this but it was supposed to start cooling off a bit today. As it turns out, the ride started off under clear, blue, warm skies but by the time I hit the bridge to come back home, oh how things had changed. The ride home was under cold, windy, foggy skies. It felt pretty good actually.

Heading up JFK drive in Golden Gate Park.
http://home.comcast.net/~96omi/Sausalito/IMG_0941.JPG

Oh, give me a home. The buffalo paddock in GG Park.
http://home.comcast.net/~96omi/Sausalito/IMG_0942.JPG

The Giant returns home. This is a great shop. I was talking to one of the folks who work here and said the idea was to go down into Sausalito but I was a little concerned about the ride back up. I've driven along Alexander Road many times and, in my mind, it was a beast... long and steep. So, anyway, she says to me, "No, you can totally do it. If you can ride here from your house, Alexander Road is totally doable. it's kind of long but you get to the top and you feel like you've accomplished something. You should totally go for it". Easy for her to say, she's young. I can tell she's young because she said "totally" 3 times in one sentence" :lol:
http://home.comcast.net/~96omi/Sausalito/IMG_0944.JPG

So, off I go... heading down Arguello to the Presidio. Right at the end (by the church you see) it takes a nasty kick up for a block. I've done this stretch, now, 3 or 4 times and kind of have it figured out. I went up a gear, got out of the saddle and danced on up.
http://home.comcast.net/~96omi/Sausalito/IMG_0945.JPG

Made it, no prob...
http://home.comcast.net/~96omi/Sausalito/IMG_0946.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~96omi/Sausalito/IMG_0947.JPG

You've seen this shot before but with my bike in it and no sailboats.
Turns out, this spot is called Inspiration Point. I didn't know that. For me, today, it's well named.
http://home.comcast.net/~96omi/Sausalito/IMG_0948.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~96omi/Sausalito/IMG_0950.JPG

What a beauty. I can look at this all day long.
In the foreground is the approach to the bridge, Doyle Drive, aka, Deadly Doyle Drive.
http://home.comcast.net/~96omi/Sausalito/IMG_0951.JPG

I've had this view of the bridge from my bike a few times, now, but never after having ridden there from my front door. I am feeling good right about now.
http://home.comcast.net/~96omi/Sausalito/IMG_0952.JPG

And here I am on the other side, the Marin County Side. I rode through 3 counties today.
To get to Sausalito, I have to go to the east side of the bridge.
To do that, you have to go under the bridge. Up and down stairs!
What idiot makes you carry your bike up and down stairs?
My legs were getting a little tired but what could I do?
http://home.comcast.net/~96omi/Sausalito/IMG_0953.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~96omi/Sausalito/IMG_0960.JPG

Here's a view of the bridge you see too often
http://home.comcast.net/~96omi/Sausalito/IMG_0961.JPG

I made it!
http://home.comcast.net/~96omi/Sausalito/IMG_0955.JPG

A couple of views from my lunch spot. After this I have to head back
http://home.comcast.net/~96omi/Sausalito/IMG_0956.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~96omi/Sausalito/IMG_0957.JPG

Homes in the Sausalito hills. Money.
http://home.comcast.net/~96omi/Sausalito/IMG_0958.JPG

And back at the top. A hint of things to come.
The ride back up, by the way, was nothing... nothing!
http://home.comcast.net/~96omi/Sausalito/IMG_0959.JPG

The ride back across the bridge was brutal... cold, windy -really windy- misty.
And me in my shorts and jersey... no jacket. Didn't think I'd need it. If I pedal garder, I can generate more heat. Good incentive

Back in the Park, now, on the home stretch. I love the way the mist hangs above the lake.
Folks come to race radio controlled boats in this lake
http://home.comcast.net/~96omi/Sausalito/IMG_0962.JPG

One of the windmills "guarding" the west entrance to Golden Gate Park.
http://home.comcast.net/~96omi/Sausalito/IMG_0963.JPG

Fort Funston. Hang gliders take off from here. Not today, though... grounded by the fog.
After this begins the 3 mile climb up Skyline Blvd. I'm tired by in a groove now. It's slow but pretty easy going. HR never got over 150.
http://home.comcast.net/~96omi/Sausalito/IMG_0964.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~96omi/Sausalito/IMG_0965.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~96omi/Sausalito/IMG_0966.JPG

Man, this brings back old, childhood memories. We called these bunkers "pill boxes" I learned today that they are "base stations" and were used to triagulate incoming ships -presumably enemy ships- during WWII. There were a bunch of these in the hills across the street from my house. We used to play in them -a boy's drea world- until some *******s came along and... no, don't get me started.
http://home.comcast.net/~96omi/Sausalito/IMG_0967.JPG

And a look down and up my last climb home. First I climb up to where I am, then drop and back up I go. My HR hit 151 at the top today after 42 miles. A far, far cry from the 175 of a year ago.
http://home.comcast.net/~96omi/Sausalito/IMG_0969.JPG

That's it. What a great day :D

Thought you had changed back to a triple with home mechanicing for a minute. It appears that you have found your distance. 40 to 50 is not bad in anyones books and is the distance that I like to ride. Mind you- I do have a few decent cafes around in my area- so I can vary the rides depending on how hungry I am.

Funny what a new bike- new legs- doctors consent and a LOT of training can give you.

Phew...For a moment, I thought you were giving us your measurements.:D Great ride pics and report.:)

Your pictures bring back some fond memories. I was stationed at the Presidio for two years. Beautiful place. Used the bridge as a jogging path.

Ah, had only we knew each other then... together we could have ruled the world! Buwahahahahaha....

*swoon*

I love the bridge.
The city.
The fog.

I've done most of this ride a number of times, as recently as May 7. I always enjoy crossing the bridge, but it is always cold. The hill into Sausalito isn't as bad as one thinks, is it? As you probably know, if you continue on through you can get some more flat, bike trail miles in Marin.

Nice job.

Crossing the bridge is always a wonderous thing. I love it.

No the hill out of Sausalito is nothing, at all. I was almost stunned.
The worst part is just when you're leaving town and that's too short to be of real concern.
And then before you know it, you're back at 101.
I best I can tell, it averages 3.2% with the worst part all of 5.2%
I saw the sign that said "Bike Path" and I thought, no, it can't be. But it was.
Looks like the whole climb is all of a bit more than a mile.
I can do a mile of 5% in my sleep by now.
Slowly, but I can do it.